МEMORIES ON THE FIELD COURSE IN GEOLOGICAL MAPPING

Abstract

This article is a memory of the field course in geological mapping. It was a part of studying process of the author while her education at the Geology & Geophysics Department, Novosibirsk University. The practice took place in the 80s of the last century in the steppe region of the Khakassia Autonomous Region (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia) at the university’s geological training camp. The article features a technique of creating a geological map of the site. Geological strata were distinguished by lithological features. However, the instructors did not indicate the real geological age of the deposits to the students because it was believed that such information is unnecessary for them. The main task of students was to master the methods of geological mapping of an unknown territory. Students covered the site with routes along the cross of the strike of sediments. Students had to recognize these sediments, determine the area of their distribution, divide them into stratigraphic horizons and give them their own names. Then students marked the boundaries of the rock layers at outcrops and the elements of their occurrence on the topographic base. This original teaching method gave a positive result. Students have developed a geological map of the training site where certain stratigraphic horizons were shown with real bedding elements. This approach contributed to the independent creative work of students. Students felt themselves like pioneer geologists who came to this territory for the first time, conducted geological mapping and gave names to geological strata that are exposed. In addition, this method excluded the possibility of cheating and copying the existing real geological map. The article presents memories of the young nineteen-year-old student’s perception of the features of field geology, expeditionary life and collective work. With a certain degree of self-irony the author brings his thoughts, feelings and impressions of nature. The experience gained during this field practice has become the basis of the author’s professional skills and now helps us in educational process.